Jan 04 2023
Hardware

Review: Juniper Mist AP61 Delivers Powerful Wi-Fi Access Under All Conditions

A strong internet connection is crucial to modern business, but outdoor locations can create problems. This access point offers a solution.

Federal agencies have an obligation to deliver high-quality wireless services for their workers and for citizens.

At first blush, delivering the kind of reliable access that users expect seems fairly simple for IT administrators: Just set up your Wi-Fi access points, connect devices and you’re good to go.

Depending on the work environment, though, that’s not always the case. Outdoor wireless networks are a particular challenge. They must contend with weather conditions that can get in the way of a strong, reliable signal, and administrators typically are limited in the number of outdoor locations where they can set up Wi-Fi APs, creating the possibility of dead zones.

For administrators who need outdoor wireless access, rugged, strong APs are a must.

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Building Better Wi-Fi with Juniper Mist

I recently reviewed the Juniper Mist AP61 and was impressed by its ability to facilitate outdoor Wi-Fi access and its simple cloud-based management. The AP61 works with the Juniper Mist cloud architecture to collect and analyze metadata in nearly real time from all wireless clients, then provides the best possible wireless experience to each one.

For system administrators, Juniper Mist makes managing the wireless network a breeze. Its data analysis capabilities enable rapid problem detection and root cause identification, with predictive suggestions and proactive correction.

Another valuable feature is the ability to work without the need for battery-powered Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) beacons and manual calibration. The BLE feature I reviewed is part of the AP61’s high-accuracy location capability, which includes a 16-element virtual BLE antenna array controlled from the Juniper Mist cloud architecture. In my test, it was able to provide a signal more than 100 feet away from the base station.

With solutions such as the Juniper Mist AP61, agencies can ensure that users have access to the fastest and most reliable Wi-Fi signal under practically all conditions.

Juniper Mist Specs

 

SPECIFICATIONS

WIRELESS: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 5
FREQUENCY: 2.4GHz and 5GHz
SERVICE: Cloud-managed with three-year subscription
DIMENSIONS: 12.2x12.2x4.2 inches
WEIGHT: 10 pounds
 

Illustration by John Lanuza
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